Moray SNP News

NHS GRAMPIAN UPDATES MORAY MSP ON MRI SCANNER PLANS FOR DR GRAY’S

Richard Lochhead MSP has received an update from NHS Grampian on plans for an MRI scanner at Dr Gray’s Hospital. 

In a letter to Mr Lochhead, the Chief Executive of NHS Grampian, provided the following update:

“The Grampian National Treatment Centre (NTC) Programme team has continued to make progress behind the scenes and is delighted to be able to confirm that design work on the Dr Gray's MRI suite will be starting in earnest with an immediate timeframe. This will see the Dr Gray's project working to an accelerated timescale to that of the wider NTC programme. We have asked the Dr Gray's Hospital management team to lead on the implementation phase of the project, working with the local multi-disciplinary clinical team to ensure the project design is fit for purpose. The Dr Gray's MRI Implementation Group have been asked to develop a business case for approval by spring 2022.

“The new facility will, as you note, bring a range of benefits to the hospital and for the Moray and west Grampian population, offering reduced scanning times, increased image quality and a range of advanced scanning techniques. It will also reduce the need for patients to travel to Aberdeen or Inverness for some MRI scans.”

Moray’s MSP has long support calls for an MRI scanner at Dr Gray’s and has welcomed the aim to have the business case for the project approved by spring.

Commenting Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“Having an MRI scanner at Dr Gray’s would be a real boost for patients in Moray and it is something that I have been pushing NHS Grampian to deliver for many years. As well as being a welcome investment in Dr Gray’s Hospital, having this facility on our doorstep would also save people in Moray from having to travel to Aberdeen for scans.

“I’m pleased we now have a firmer timescale for getting the business case completed and approved, and I’ll be seeking assurances from NHS Grampian that management are also working to ensure we have the staff we need to deliver the service so as to avoid any delays in getting it up and running.

“These are the kind of investments we need NHS Grampian to be making in Dr Gray’s to ensure that here in Moray we have a general hospital that meets the needs of the local population.”